Food is Medicine

Medically Tailored Meal Program

For patients recovering from cardiovascular-related hospitalizations

Overview About How It Works Why It Matters

Overview

The Medically Tailored Meal Program is a post-discharge Food is Medicine intervention designed to support patients recovering from cardiovascular-related hospitalizations. Through a partnership with MANNA, eligible patients receive home-delivered, medically tailored meals that align with heart-healthy nutrition standards and support individual dietary needs.

Meals are developed by registered dietitians and professional chefs to help patients manage nutrition-sensitive conditions, reduce food access barriers, and continue healing at home after hospitalization.

About the Program

Prior to discharge, eligible ChristianaCare patients are connected with the Medically Tailored Meal Program as part of their hospital discharge care transition support. Patients who choose to participate are connected to MANNA, where they receive condition-specific, nutritionally balanced meals delivered directly to their homes.

Participants receive:

Weeks 1–4: 14 medically tailored meals per week
Weeks 5–12: 7 medically tailored meals per week
Nutrition counseling and coaching from a MANNA registered dietitian
Nutrition education materials focused on heart-healthy eating and self-management
Community Health Worker check-ins to help address barriers, social needs, and overall patient experience

The program helps bridge the gap between hospital discharge and long-term wellness by making nutritious, ready-to-heat meals easier to access during recovery.

How the Program Works

Referral & Enrollment

Eligible patients are identified through ChristianaCare care teams following cardiovascular-related hospitalization. Patients interested in participating are connected directly to MANNA for enrollment and meal delivery coordination.

Meal Delivery & Nutrition Support

Participants receive condition-specific meals delivered directly to their homes alongside nutrition counseling and education to support dietary self-management and recovery.

Ongoing Follow-Up

Community Health Workers provide ongoing support throughout the intervention to help address barriers related to food access, social needs, and patient wellness.

Continued Food is Medicine Support

Patients who complete the 12-week intervention and meet eligibility criteria may transition into the Delaware Food Farmacy for continued nutrition support, education, and health coaching.

Community Partnerships

This program is made possible through collaboration between:

ChristianaCare
MANNA
Community Health Workers
Registered Dietitians
Clinical care teams

Together, these partnerships help extend patient care beyond the hospital setting through nutrition-focused recovery support.

Why Food is Medicine Matters

Nutrition plays a critical role in recovery after hospitalization. The Medically Tailored Meal Program helps improve access to healthy meals during a vulnerable transition period while reinforcing long-term healthy eating behaviors.

The program aims to:

Support post-discharge recovery
Improve access to heart-healthy meals
Reinforce nutrition education and self-managed recovery
Reduce barriers related to food access and social needs
Improve long-term health outcomes

Patients who complete the 12-week meal program and meet criteria may transition into the Delaware Food Farmacy for ongoing nutrition support, education, and health coaching.